Protective device for the tonneau of motor cars and for other purposes



June 24, 1930. M. e. s. GRIFFITH 1,767,447

PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR THE TONNEAU OF MOTOR CARS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Filed 001;. 17. 1927 J A'm'is.

mmsmunna.

UNITED direction and those in the other Patented, June 24, 1930 MARTHA, GERTRUDE SARAH GRIFFITH, OF 1)'U'ID.'LEY, ENGEAND morncrxvn DEVICE' 303 THE. routine or meme m non omnnaimarosns Application filed October 17, 1927, Serial m.

' This invention relates to a new or improved protective covering device adapted for use in protecting or covering any space or receptacle for which a covering of flexible material is suitable; I 7 For example the back or tonneau-of a four-seater touring car is sometimes provided with a covering of waterproof and dust-proof fabric which'is fitted when the rear-seats are not in use and keeps out dust and rain. The covering is, however; easily removed by any'person and affords. no. protection against theft of articles left in the car.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved form of flexible cover which canbe readily fitted orremoved, but when fitted can be locked against removal so that no unauthorized person can obtain access to the space below the cover.

My invention is equally applicable to river craft and motor-boats, perambulators, shop blinds, delivery boxes or baskets and various other articles wherever a flexible covering can be employed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a flexible covering formed in two parts adapted to be connectedtogether along their meeting edges by a strip fastening ofknown type operated by a sliding member. Each part of the covering is connected to the peripheral walls of the space to be covered by means of T or like slots in the covering'fitted over headed studs on the walls. All of the slots in one part of the cover face in one part face in the opposite directi0n,so that two parts are secured together the studs lie in the narrow ends of the slots and the cover cannot be lifted off the studs. The sliding member of the fastening means is then locked by any suitable means such as a padlock connecting it to a fixed staple and any articles below the cover are protected against theft.

The cover may be made of fabric, leather, or any other suitable flexible material.

If desired the headed studs may be arranged on the cover and the slots in the walls of the space which it is desired to cover.

when the 226,734, and in emit Britain March .214, 1927:,

' Some practical forms of myinvention as applied to a are illustrated as examples in the accompanying-drawings in which 'Flg'ure I is a'plan view of a car having a n means'for locking the sliding member of the fastening means in'place.

Inthe form shown in Figure 1 the'co-ver consists of'two parts a and I) each formed of suitable waterproof fabric and" eachpro *vided with eyelets 0 of keyhole outline around threesi-des. The remaining side of each part which oo-operates with the complementaryside of the'lother part is fitted with a strip-fastening (Z' of known typeioper- "ated by a sliding member a." The narrow ends of the eyelet slots in each part of the covering are directed away from the fastening; so that when the eyelets are fitted over headed studs fion the body workof the car "aroun the tonneau and the two parts of the cover are secured together by the; fastening, the studslie in the narrow ends of the slots and the cover cannotbe lifted off; The'sliding member 6 for the fastening isnadapted to be lockedin any desired manner to precover for the tonneau of a car vent it being opened by any unauthorized person; In'the form illustrated the member 6 has a notched opening in a-key operated lock 9' mounted in the'back ofthe front seat'and adapted to be locked therein by afsliding plate in the 'manner oftheusual attache-case l oek. Alternatively the member 6' may be'secured byla padlock to afixed: staple. r

The two'parts a and b. o f the; coveringare shown of unequal width so that the joint made by the sliding fastener is adjeacent to peg or stapleentering an connect the parts which are held against the strip fastening is closed.

a sliding member I fastening,

one side of the vehicle where it is readily accessible.

In the modification shown in Figure 3, where the cover is applied to a car having separate front seats, each part of the covering has at its front end a strap h which is taken down over the squabs and secured by a stud and socket fastener below the seat. A further strap closes the space between the seats and is detachably secured to the floor of the front compartment. e

The studs and eyelets for securing the covering maybe of any convenient type such as the T slotted eyelet Z and stud m with elongated headas shown on ure 4: and in Figure 5. An alternative vform of key-hole slotted eyelet n and round-headed stud 0 are shown on the right of Figure A and in Figure 6. 1

\Vhere my invention is applied to shop blinds, or to blinds orcovers for show-cases in shops, museums, or the like, the headed studs would be arranged round the periphery of the window frame or around the frame of the case, and the cover would be formed in two parts connected by a strip fastening ina similar manner to the form described with reference to'Figures 1' and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

1. A protective device comprising a multipart flexible covering, a strip fastening to along their meeting edges,

to operate the said strip fastening, means for locking the said sliding member when the fastening is closed, and means for detachably securing the cova sliding member ering to the peripheral walls of the space to be covered with means comprising co-operating parts on the walls and ,covering disconnection when 2. A protective device comprising a twopart flexible covering, a strip fastening to connect the parts along their meeting edges, to operate the said strip means for locking the said sliding member when the fastener is closed, and securingmeans for the cover consisting of headed studs and eyelets engaged by the studs, the eyelets having slots with entrance and retaining portions. 7 v

3. A protective device comprising a .twopart flexible covering, a, strip fastening to connect the parts along their meeting edges, a sliding member to operate the said strip fastening, means for locking the said sliding member when the fastener is closed, and se- 7 curing means for the cover consisting of headed studs, and eyelets engaged by the studs, the eyelets having slots with entrance and retaining portions and the headed studs being'held in the retaining portions'o'f the slots when the fastening is closed to prevent disconnection of these parts.

the left of Fig- 1 when the fastening is closed, and means for detachably securing the covering to the peripheral walls of the space to be covered, said means comprising co-operating parts on the walls and covering which are held against disconnection when thesliding member is locked in the closed position.

5. A protective device comprising a twopart. flexible covering, a strip fastening to connect the parts along their meeting edges, a sliding member to operate the said strip fastening,,a catch member on said sliding member, locking means for securing the catch member to a fixed part adjacent to the position occupied byv the sliding member when the fastening is closed, and securing means for the coverconsisting of headed studs and eyelets engaged by the studs,the eyelets having. slots with entrance and retaining portions and the headed studs being held in the retaining portions of the slot when the fastening is closed to prevent disconnection of these parts,

,f In test monywhereofil afiix my signature. l A q I MARTHA GERTRU DE SARAH GRIFFITH. 

